Developmental Contract Specialist, GS

Announcement Type: TARP - Direct-Hire Authority (DHA)

Position Type: Permanent

USACE Organization: Northwestern Division (NWD) - Omaha District

Locations (City, State): Omaha, NE

Serves as an entry level functional position in the Contracting Division receiving on‑and‑off‑the‑job training in the principles, concepts, work processes, regulations, and reference materials pertinent to technical and professional aspects of contracting and acquisition program administration and management. Training and substantive organizational support work assignments involve practical operating circumstances such as, but not necessarily limited to, formal contracting, simplified acquisition, general administration, and administration/utilization of procurement systems.

Assignments are generally recurring in nature and are designed to provide experience in the complete variety of procurement activities presented by the mission (such as formal contracting, small purchasing, and the administration/utilization of pertinent automation).

• Contracting – 60%
  • Performs a variety of developmental and workload support duties relative to formal contracting activities, designed to further advance the employee’s knowledge of the principles and concepts of the procurement process and the practical application in daily operations. Procures supplies or services, primarily through formal advertising or through limited use of negotiation techniques under closer supervision to increase the employee’s skill, knowledge, and breadth of experience.
    
    Participates in the administration of firm‑fixed‑price contracts and indefinite delivery contracts, requiring the employee to monitor progress of contractors, advise contractors, coordinate requests for deviation, and review contractor payment requests.
  • Performs a variety of tasks designed to further familiarize the employee with the process of pre‑award contracting (e.g., developing solicitation packages, opening of bids, evaluating responses, preparation of necessary justifications and approvals; preparing advertisements, handling protests).
• Small Purchases – 40%
  • Receives requisitions for a wide variety of items. Checks requisitions for approvals, adequacy of description, correct quantities and contacts requisitioning personnel for clarification and additional information, if required. Determines whether items should be procured from General Services Administration, Federal Prison Industries, Inc., Nonprofit Agencies Employing People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, Blanket Purchase Agreements, or in the open‑market. Obtains prices for open‑market through written Request for Quotations to known supply sources.
    
    Performs considerable research in obtaining suitable suppliers. Places orders using proper methods of purchase in accordance with governing regulations.
  • Reviews quotes resulting from Requests for Quotation and selects supplier, considering transportation charges, discounts and delivery data, and compliance with specifications, in addition to the basic price quotation. Reviews and answers questions pertaining to delivery dates, substitution, priority, quality, and price arising in connection with procurement actions.

Performs other duties as assigned.

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD, Section 9905 to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

NOTE:

This position is developmental in nature, leading to the target grade of GS‑12. Upon meeting regulatory and performance requirements, incumbent may be promoted non‑competitively to the target level of GS‑12, through the intervening grades of GS‑09/11.

Minimum Education Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree

• Applications must be submitted after 12:01 AM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Open Date and before 11:59 PM (EST) of the posted Job Posting Close Date to receive consideration.
• All positions require the applicant to be a citizen of the United States.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, are required to register for Selective Service prior to appointment.
• A trial or…